Someone asked about airport hotels. We found a really good offer at the Hilton which we booked in June for next March. It is called "Park and Fly 15 days plus Dinner". We booked it for Friday 19 March 2010 as it was only £169 and included the night in a double hilton guest room,  a three course buffet Dinner at the Hilton, and 15 days parking at the long stay plus south carpark at Gatwick airport. There is a free shuttle bus from the long stay plus carpark to the terminal and a walkthrough tunnel from the hotel to the terminal. There is also a shuttle train between the North and South terminals at Gatwick which takes about 5 minutes. We have stayed at the Hilton before each of our last three cruise and it is excellent and at a price little more than the parking cost for the stay and Dinner it is a must particularly as the offer included cancellation up to 4pm on the day of arrival for no cancellation fee. I do not know whether the offer is still available.

I think someone else asked about premium seats on the flight out. Our view is that for only £99 they are worth every penny and is one  of the reasons why we book early as these premium seats go very quickly. The advantages are amazing. You jump the queue at the airport which can be an hour, you get a nice glass of champagne before take off, during the flight you get larger and more comfortable seats, a better menu, premium spirits and a better wine list for the free on board booze, free premium videos to watch while you fly, and of course your are first off the plane which means less queing as you go through the formalities at the airport and before boarding the ship and not least you are amongst the first to board Artemis. It is a must Lets hope P&O have not economised and lft any of these things out this time.

Must go now as we are thinking about final preparations for P019 which we are going on for 18 days in September. Artemis of course.

See you all in March next year if not before.

Tony and Val 

Me and my other half Robert are doing this one again having done the same cruise as feebie march 09. Artemis is a great ship and the crossing was beautifully smooth. Cant wait to go on Artemis again and we are looking forward to it. Got our Oceana first to do in October and our "biggy" on Aurora world cruise 2011 (Southampton to Auclkand) but still really looking forward to going transatlantic again. We go from Gatwick and can definitely suggest going for the flight upgrade! well worth the extra £99.00.

Also re the bridge tour if anybody is interested......if you ask your cabin steward he will make the necc enquiries, we were told about this, asked our cabin steward, the next day two tickets arrived. very interesting!

see you all aboard!

Adrian

 

Aidrian, have a great time on Oceana in October (we have booked in 2011.  Wont add anything about that on here for at least another year. 

Rgds.

SR.    

N817 -- P006 -- J015 -- E103                               

Rgds.

SR.    

N817 -- P006 -- J015 -- E103                               

Bill

Yep the clock is ticking down, just waiting for the excursions to go live.  If anyone is interested there is an article in this months times holiday mag for madeira.  I've never been and imagine that after being couped up for 5 days will be wanting off.... 

We shouldn't be too far behind you as we are flying from Manchester, I can't stand long lines and waiting in airports so you will have to excuse me if I'm a big fan of fastrack and the like...   Though must admit last time fastrack wasn't that fast.....  

Not sure how everyone else feels about airports but my attitude is we are all on the same plane and will all get there at the same time.  What's the point in spending extra money on upgrades, transfers or faster check-in's. 

Then you get to the airport and everything changes....  I'll leave the rest to your imagination.  LOL.  

Am sure everyone has their own personal way of dealing with airports, wonder if any will share comments on here???   :-))

Rgds.

SR.    

N817 -- P006 -- J015 -- E103                               

Priceless..   LOL.....  

Best Airline -- British Airways for my money.   Best P--- take of Airlines - Pamann.com, she does a great 'Mona.'

Rgds.

SR.    

N817 -- P006 -- J015 -- E103                               

Look forward to meeting you all on board.